Millington’s hat-tricks sets up Tigers, Police final

Petra/Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football…

A dynamic hat-trick by the experienced Devon Millington allowed Western Tigers to claw their way into the final of the 2nd annual Petra Organised Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football Tournament against Guyana Police Force FC.

Tigers and Police booked their spots in the grand final after two pulsating semi-final matches on Sunday evening at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda.
The match between Santos and Western Tigers  was a rematch of the recently concluded Stag Nations Cup final which the former won and repeated  the same with a 3-2 victory.
After a series of nail-biting offensive play by both sides, Ryan October put Santos ahead in the 26th minute after he placed his left-foot volley powerfully into the back of the net.
The West  Ruimveldt unit responded when Millington collected a pass from the mid-field while running down the right wing and then whipped it into the lower left of the net to level the scores in emphatic fashion and much to the delight of the sizeable crowd in attendance.
Seven minutes into the second half an own goal by the Tigers kept the seesaw nature of the match in check as Santos returned in the lead but only briefly.
Two minutes later  the power of Millington was displayed once again with a bullet-like shot  from just on the outskirts of the penalty area, which rocketed into the left side of the net.
In what proved to be  the winning goal, was less powerful and more of a  deft touch as the player slid  his way pass two defenders to make a simple tap-in in the 54th minute.
In the other match, Police edge Winners Connection 2-1 in a thriller that looked to head into extra-time after the scores were still tied at 1-1 in the 85th minute.
Junior Gordon in the 25th had given the lawmen an early lead which they carried into the second half where the drama began to unfold.  As dying minutes of the match began creeping to a close, the Linden unit found a new sense of urgency and success came when Allon Garrett scored   a leaping header from a well-directed corner in the 68th minute.
Both sides began pressing more  for the lead, which eventually came in Police’s favour as an outstretched Lerone Charles dabbed the ball into goal after collecting a pass from the left-wing in the 85th minute.
Meanwhile, the final is slated for this Saturday at the same venue from 21:00 hrs while Winners Connection and Santos will do battle in the third place-off from 19:00 hrs.
The Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
To date, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other companies that have thrown their support behind the championship.